Music-holder.



R. W. MILLS.

MUSIC HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 16,1908.

Patented May 25, 1909.

UNITE ROBERT WM. MILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MUSIC-HOLDER.

Application filed July 16, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. MILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Music- Holder, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to music holders and is particularly designed as a substitute for the lyres ordinarily mounted upon music instruments for holding band music.

The holders heretofore used have been objectionable because the music is not only necessarily exposed to the elements but it soon becomes torn at the lower edges while being inserted into or removed from the holder. These holders have also been obj ectionable because they conceal some of the notes ofthe music and do not hold the sheet perfectly flat under all conditions.

The object of the invention is to provide a holder designed to carry a number of sheets of music to which access can be conveniently had for the purpose of arranging the sheets with any one of them in front of the holder.

A further object is to provide a holder which not only maintains the sheets flat but also protects them from wind and rain.

A further object is to provide a holder which does not conceal any of the printed notes.

Another object is to provide novel means for connecting the holder to a music instrument.

ith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the holder. Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a view showing in detail the frame and the base of the holder, the same being separated and the frame partly opened.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates a longitudinally channeled base having upstanding end portions 2 which are also channeled, there being an ear or enlargement 3 upon the rear portion of the base at the center thereof to w llCll is secured a stem 4 extending downward from and at right angles to the base and de- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1909.

Serial No. 443,899.

signed to be attached to a music instrument in any well known or preferred manner.

The base above referred to is designed to receive and support the body of the holder which consists of tworectangular frames 5 and 6 each of which has a large rectangular opening 7 therein while flanges 8 extend perpendicularly from the edge portions of the frames and beyond one face of each frame. The adjoining longitudinal flanges 8 of the two frames 5 and 6 are connected together at their free edges by means of hinges 9 and the parts are so proportioned that when the two frames are swung together the flanges of the frame 6 will enter between the flanges of the frame 5 so that a continuous channel will thus be formed within the body of the holder. Each opening 7 has a sheet of celluloid or other diaphanous material extending thereacross as shown at 10, said sheet being held upon its frame by means of elongated holding strips 11 the end portions of which are detachably engaged by removable fasteners- 12 of any desired form and which are arranged within openings 13 in the frame.

These fasteners may be similar to the ordinary paper fastcners or can be of any other preferred form.

Those flanges of the frames which are farthest removed from hinges 9 are each provided with a segmental recess 14 in its free edge and an upstanding ear 15 at its other edge. The openings 14 constitute sight openings through which the upper portions of the sheets of music contained within the holder can be viewed and handled after the body has been partly opened by swinging the two frames apart. The ears 15 constitute means for facilitating the opening of the body.

When it is desired to use the holder herein described the sheets of music constituting the program to be played are placed between the two frames so that their edge portions only will be concealed. The two frames are then swung together and the bottom or hinge portion of the body is inserted into the channeled holder which serves not only to support the body but also to prevent the two frames from swinging apart. Said holder can then be attached to the music instrument and the exposed sheet of music can be readily viewed through the front sheet of diaphanous material. Moreover, all of the music will be thoroughly protected from rain and wind.

When the device is not in use it can be readily carried in the pocket or can be placed in the instrument case.

In Fig. 2 sheets of music within the holder have been indicated at (1.

Importance is attached to the fact that the upstanding end portions 2 not only serve to brace the body mounted upon the base but they also prevent said body from shifting to one side or the other relative to the base. In other Words, the body is kept properly centered upon the base at all times.

What is claimed is:

1. A music holder comprising a channeled base having upstanding channeled end portions, a support-engaging stem projecting from the base, and a music holding body detachably mounted Within and held by the channeled base and end portions, said body 7 consisting of hingedly connected members,

one of said members having a diaphanous ortion, said base constituting means for holding the members against movement upon their hinge connections.

2. A music holder comprising hingedly connected frames having openings therein, a

diaphanous cover upon each opening, said frames being fold able together to retain sheet music therebetween, and a channeled base for the reception of the frames.

3. A music holder comprising hingedly connected frames having erpendicular marginal flanges, each frame aving an opening therein, a transparent closure extending across the opening of each frame, and a channeled base for receiving the frames and hold ing them closed together.

4. A music holder comprising hingedly connected frames foldable together to constitute a housing for sheet music, each frame having a diaphanous portion, a finger piece outstanding from each frame, there being a sight opening Within each frame and adjacent the finger piece, and a base for supporting the frames and holding them closed together.

5. A music-holder comprising a base hav* ing upstanding end portlons, a su port-engaging device extending from the ase, and a music-holding body detachably mounted upon the base and supported by the base and end portions, said end portions constituting means for preventing movement of the body longitudinally of the base.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

- ROBERT WM. MILLS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE O. GAULT, H. O. GAULT. 

